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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be scared of this pain? :(

56 replies

SilverDoe · 25/05/2018 19:02

Can you reassure me please? I’m getting quite anxious about the pain I’m having in my head and it’s very unlike me.

This last week I have been experiencing a recurring and quite bad pain in my head. It’s a sudden throb that gets quite badly and is in the same place, it feels almost like a “crack” because it’s a sort of single line of acute pain in a particular area of my skull rather than a dull, all over or behind the eyes pain. It’s near and above my right temple.

I’ve never suffered from headaches or migraines before and I’m freaking out a bit. Can someone talk me down and tell me it’s normal? Can it just be sinus related as my little ones have blocked noses

I’m 24, I’ve recently gone back to work from mat leave so have been looking at computer screens a lot, been off contraception for about a month. Just in case any of those could be caused.

I’ve tried to google but it’s bringing up some really scary things and I can’t keep reading them

OP posts:

Original poster

SilverDoe · 25/05/2018 19:26

Valenta I do reckon they do that actually, I know for sure they will pay for your glasses so I will definitely look into that!

Granny gosh that sounds awful, I’m glad you are okay now I’ve realised that the pain is not relatively so bad, it hurts but I have no other worrisome symptoms. I will definitely go back to the GP next week though

OP posts:

Original poster

SilverDoe · 25/05/2018 19:28

Avocado I thought sinuses too! I remember once I had gotten over an illness, sniffed deeply to clear my nose and the pain in my head was so unbelievable. Certainly wasn’t Gosh heads are weird

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TammySwansonTwo · 25/05/2018 19:29

I had this from severe eye strain, and similar pain with migraines. I would go for an eye test ASAP, and see your GP. You can buy triptans (a migraine med) over the counter - it’s costly and needs to be taken early on if I remember rightly, but might be worth trying it once and seeing if it helps?

ScreamingValenta · 25/05/2018 19:32

Yes, your work are obliged to pay for an eye-test every two years if the main part of your role involves computer (VDU) use. If your optician says you need glasses specifically for work, they should also pay for basic glasses. Where I work it's very easy to arrange - you just order an eye-test voucher and it's emailed to you within the day.

TammySwansonTwo · 25/05/2018 19:32

Sinusitis pain is hideously bad - I’ve had a few awful sinus infections, one after an operation that was just unbearable. I find that the Sudafed sinus pressure and pain tablets help, but it has to be to pseudoephedrine version. Mine tends to hurt more in my cheeks and jaw though.

agnurse · 25/05/2018 19:36

Brain tumour is possible, but not the most likely problem. Definitely go to see your provider, but in the meantime it might be helpful to keep a diary of your headaches. Do they happen at a certain time of day? What are you doing when they happen? Did you eat or drink anything just prior? Did you notice any flashing lights or unusual smells? (This is called an "aura" and sometimes happens with migraines.) How long do they last? Do you notice tension in your neck or shoulders?

All of these questions can help your provider diagnose the problem. As far as reassurance, a physician I worked with used to say, "Common things are common". This means that the most likely diagnosis is probably the correct one.

All the best.

Notevilstepmother · 25/05/2018 19:36

Eye test and then GP in my opinion. Agree about pseudoephedrine if it is sinus pain. Also olbas oil in the tray when having a hot shower.

Tiredtomybones · 25/05/2018 19:43

I had something very similar when I was a student. My doctor sent me for several tests, including an eye test, and ultimately said it was stress related. I got rid of the stress (abusive boyfriend) and hey presto the pain went and never came back. Do see your GP.

KingLooieCatz · 25/05/2018 19:50

DH once had a pain in his head so bad we both thought he was dying. His arms started to go numb and he couldn't move. This was the day after DS accidentally hit him on the head with a golf club, so to cap it all I was wondering how I'd get through raising DS alone and making sure he never knew Dad died from the crazy golf episode. DH blue-lighted into hospital for CT scan, 3 doses of morphine and it was eventually diagnosed as a cluster headache. To be fair they are meant to more than painful than child-birth and the worst pain known to man. He was fine within 24 hours and it has never happened again.

So the moral of the story is, get it checked out but it might well be easily treatable or just go away and never happen again.

Purpledays82 · 25/05/2018 19:50

I suffered with really bad pains in my head , almost identical to your ones after coming off the depo injection . I had never experienced a migraine before then .

PivotPivotPIVOTTT · 25/05/2018 19:51

I had this a few years ago. The doctors asked me to describe the pain and the only way I could was "like a contraction in my head" or "my head being crushed in a vice". I went to the GP who sent me straight up to A&E which really scared me. I had an MRI which thankfully came back clear as if there were any concerns I'd be getting a lumbar puncture. I was kept in overnight and discharged the next day with painkillers and they said it must have just been a migraine. I've never had one since this was 5 years ago although I do occasionally get an "aura" but no pain. I am very short sighted which probably played a part in it as I only started wearing my glasses around 18 months ago.

giveovermypreciousss · 25/05/2018 19:52

I keep getting a similar headache. I think its the weather or maybe the start of my hayfever.
It is best however to get checked out.

PivotPivotPIVOTTT · 25/05/2018 19:52

Could have been a CT scan I always get mixed up.

MimpiDreams · 25/05/2018 19:53

Are you drinking enough? I get headaches like you describe when I'm dehydrated.

Ansumpasty · 25/05/2018 19:55

If you are anxious about health please don’t post on here, op. You’ll be frightened half to death.
Sound like an ice pick headache to me. I’ve had sharp stabs like you describe, only they last just a few seconds and then disappear. I also got them a lot when I was working on computers. Try and relax, I hope it eases for you

Lougle · 25/05/2018 20:05

You can't be diagnosed over the internet, it wouldn't be safe. However, you've had the pain for several days, haven't yet had painkillers and can type detailed paragraphs coherently, so that suggests that you're not doing too badly.

The 'thunderclap' headache of a subarachnoid hemorrhage is generally so pronounced that people can say exactly what they were doing when it happened. Whereas migraines tend to be more subtle and insidious, sometimes with an aura.

Do try some painkillers, limit screen time and noise, apply some ice packs/frozen peas to your forehead if you can, and see someone for advice. Out of hours if necessary.

CPtart · 25/05/2018 20:11

I had this for a few weeks. Always in the same place, like an electric shock. Yes, google icepick headache. Went away on its own.

BlueJava · 25/05/2018 20:32

It may be you are straining your eyes with the computer screen - but the pain is because you are holding your head differently. That has happened to me when I moved offices and had a different desk/chair set up. So please consider a sight test and also your position at the screen too.

Seriousquestion09 · 25/05/2018 20:36

SMH at mumsnet diagnosing- if it’s that bad then that is what AE is for...
There are certain things that need to be checked for new headaches I could give you a long list but it is entirely inappropriate

Seriousquestion09 · 25/05/2018 20:39

It is highly unlikely to be SAH- this occurs very quickly within minutes-hours and goes from 0-10 in that time you would remember what you were doing and goes against the subacute nature of your symptoms

But there are literally hundreds of causes of headaches

Original poster

SilverDoe · 25/05/2018 21:47

Thanks so much for all the advice and reassurance - I’m now upset again as for the last week I’ve also been getting stitches when walking, even slowly.

I do need to lose weight but I’ve walked over an hour a day for months now and never got a stitch, and I’ve never had a stitch in my chest area before either

Panicking about blood clots now but don’t know if I’m being silly... I’m in limbo of trying to find out if it’s anything to be worried about, trying to stay away from google and trying not to be melodramatic and call 111. Feel really unhealthy too for being like this

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ScreamingValenta · 25/05/2018 21:54

A GP check up is definitely in order, to set your mind at rest. Is anyone at home with you at the moment?

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 25/05/2018 21:59

I had a trapped neck nerve. Showed on an x ray,

Same type of pain.

Mishappening · 25/05/2018 22:00

SilverDoe - I do understand what you mean about a line. I always say it feels like an axe in the head, as the pain is in a narrow line like the head of an axe. I know that mine is migraine, but it has been properly investigated and diagnosed, which is what you need to happen.

I think you should see your GP - and I hope it goes soon for you.

Original poster

SilverDoe · 25/05/2018 22:01

My partner is here with me, I know he’s worried about me too but only because I’m so anxious, I’m literally never like this. I know I’m making everything worse for myself, I just need to be a bit more rational!

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